01 Dec 2018 Sincere Appreciation to All for a Year of Brilliant Achievements

With all your dedicated efforts and sincere prayers, SSA has opened new grounds this year with the four-division working in harmonious unity in the various events—March 16 Soka Youth Gatherings in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of March 16, SSA Youth Summit in August where we welcomed more than 10,000 youthful Bodhisattvas of the Earth, and finally closing the year with preparations for the Buddhist entrance examinations next January.

In addition, in recognition of our efforts in the community, the People’s Association has conferred upon SSA the Community Spirit Excellence Award this October, further reaffirming our years of contribution to the society as good citizens. We have indeed concluded the Year of Brilliant Achievement in the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu victoriously both at the frontline districts as well as in society. For these, I would like to place on record, my sincere appreciation for all your tireless efforts for kosen-rufu, and making remarkable achievements in spreading Nichiren Buddhism. Thank you very much.

The Soka Gakkai’s theme for 2019 has recently been unveiled at the 38th Soka Gakkai Headquarters Leaders Meeting of the New Era of Worldwide Kosen-rufu held in October, as “Year of Soka Victory—Towards Our 90th Anniversary”.

Soka Gakkai President Harada said at the meeting that 2019 must be a decisive year to create new causes for victory, and the “Year of Soka Victory” is the “Year of Mentor-Disciple Victory”. President Harada encouraged everyone to raise the banner of justice to fulfil our vow with our mentor, while striving to advance kosen-rufu and engage in dialogue aim at realising the Daishonin’s ideal of “establishing the correct teaching for the peace of the land” so that we can accumulate good fortune, and win victorious lives.

Indeed, since the time of its establishment in 1930, the Soka Gakkai has won over waves of persecution and obstacles to demonstrate the greatness of Nichiren Buddhism in accord with the Daishonin’s teachings, exactly through the deep bonds of mentor and disciple relationship as shown by the three successive presidents. Eighty-eight years later, today, we are recognised as a global peace movement with more than 12 million members practising Nichiren Buddhism worldwide.

As SSA entrench our religious tenets in our Constitution at this significant juncture of the 5th anniversary of the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu, let us continue to proudly walk the path of mentor and disciple, and direct our hearts towards shaping the present and the future. I also wish to close this year of brilliant achievement, by proclaiming that the greatest victory has been achieved when we were able to bring great joy to our mentor. This is clearly seen from President Ikeda’s recent messages for Singapore.

The first day of our holding of the Youth Summit mystically coincided with the serialisation of the “Vow” chapter of The New Human Revolution describing President Ikeda’s third visit to Singapore, on the Seikyo Shimbun. In the verbal message to Singapore (on August 27), President Ikeda said:

“To have the instalment written on Singapore in The New Human Revolution published at the timing is truly mystical. You are in perfect alignment with me.”

Upon hearing the great victory of the Youth Summit, President Ikeda further remarked,

“I’m truly delighted by the growth of the youth division. To achieve a gathering of 10,000 youth in a country whose population is slightly over 5 million is truly a phenomenal achievement…What a beautiful unity you have displayed! Nothing gives me greater joy than to see you striving in harmony.”

President Ikeda has concluded the penning of the 30-volume of The New Human Revolution, dedicating five instalments in the most important final chapter of the novel to Singapore. Let us cherish President Ikeda’s expectations for SSA and study them thoroughly so that we can internalise and actualise what our mentor has envisioned for Singapore.

Next March, we will also be welcoming the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Soka Peace Centre which houses our Mentor Memorial Hall in Singapore. It is a precious gift dedicated to Singapore following the year of the establishment of the Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu. With deep gratitude to our mentor, let us cheerfully and victoriously advance towards this milestone and the Soka Gakkai’s 90th anniversary in the next two years!